1. Phobia.
HSP3C

2. What is a phobia?
A strong, irrational fear of something that has little or no danger at all
Comes from the Greek word “fear”

3. Phobia vs. Fear What’s the difference? Phobia = STRESS.
They do whatever it takes to avoid what scares them
It can stop them from having an everyday life

4. Symptoms Panic Rapid heartbeat Shortness of breath Trembling
Really, really wants to get away

5. PHOBIAS. 1) Specific phobia: fear of specific object, or situation
Eg. plants, animals, clowns

6. PHOBIAS. 2) Social Phobia More than shyness
Great fear of being rejected

7. PHOBIAS 3) Fear of open spaces (agrophobia)
Actual or anticipated situation
Eg. Public transportation, being in a crowd, standing in line

8. Origins
Usually comes from childhood or teenage years, and continues into adulthood
After traumatic (painful) experience
Family/relatives – learn their behaviour

9. Complications
Life can be hard to live
Depression
Substance abuse

10. DIAGNOSIS NO test for determining phobias
Go through an interview with doctor

11. Treatment
Medications
Help control anxiety and panic attacks

12. Treatment Psychotherapy 1) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
learn other beliefs about the fear; learn how to control feelings and thoughts

13. Treatments 2) Exposure Therapy
Individual slowly learns how to change response to situation; gradual (slowly), and repeated (over and over again)

14. Phobia Facts There are many different phobias! For example…
Coulrophobia – fear of clowns
Didaskaleinophobia – fear of going to school
Heliophobia – fear of sunlight
Melissophobia – fear of bees
Isolophobia – fear of being alone

15. Phobia Facts
There are more than 400 phobias being diagnosed by doctors
It is unique to the individual, and each phobia can be different!

16. Help? Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada
Dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of Anxiety Disorders